Tiny Dancers Perform Routines At Royal Theatre Pg. 9
Women of Vision Attend Local Wellness Retreat Pg. 5
Sandra Pope Is R-II Teacher Of The Year Pg. 2
the
Versailles leader-statesman
National Day of Prayer gathering at courthouse
Thursday, May 5, 2016 Volume 131 Number 18 Versailles, MO
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The annual National Day of Prayer will be observed with a prayer service noon Thursday, May 5 on the north steps of the Morgan County Courthouse in Versailles. The gathering will be led by the ministers from churches of the Versailles Area Ministerial Alliance. The theme of the 2015 National Day of Prayer is “Wake Up America!” based on Isaiah 58:1, which reads, “Cry aloud; do not hold back; lift up your voice like
a trumpet; declare to my people their transgression, to the house of Jacob their sins.” President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed of a day of “humiliation, fasting and prayer” in 1863. In 1952, by a joint resolution of Congress signed by President Truman, an annual National Day of Prayer was declared. In 1988, the law was amended by President Ronald Reagan, setting the day as the first Thursday in May.
Morgan County R-II vocal music students will present their annual Spring Fling concert, 7 p.m. Saturday, May 7 at the middle school gymnasium in Versailles. The theme this year is “Billboard Top 100 Hits of the Century.” A variety of music will be per-
formed including solos, small groups, choir, instrumental, and comedy. Refreshments will be available before the show and during intermission. Tickets are $4 for adults and The Morgan County Library was the venue for the annual library book sale Friday, April 29 and Saturday, April 30 $2 for students. Doors will open in Versailles. The event drew book lovers from around the county. New this year was 50-cent pricing on all items. 6:15 p.m. Prices were reduced to 25 cents the second day. Funds raised benefit library activities, programs and other needs. (photo by Bryan E. Jones)
Spring Fling May 7
A batch of bibliophiles
Meetings County attorney files motion to dismiss in property tax case
The Versailles Rural Fire Protection District board meets 7 a.m. Thursday, May 5 at the station at Highway 52 and Route D in Versailles. The Barnett City Council meets 6 p.m. Thursday, May 5 at Barnett City Hall. The Sunrise Beach Board of Trustees meets 6 p.m. Monday, May 9 at Sunrise Beach City Hall. The Versailles City Council is scheduled to meet 6 p.m. Monday, May 9 at Versailles City Hall. The Lake West (Cam-Mo) Ambulance board meets 9 a.m. Tuesday, May 10 at the Laurie base. The Laurie City Council meets 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 10 at Laurie City Hall. The Gravois Mills board of trustees meets 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 10 at Gravois Mills City Hall. The Mid-Mo Ambulance District board meets 7 p.m., Wednesday, May 11 at the Tipton base. The Lake of the Ozarks West Chamber of Commerce meets 7:30 a.m. Thursday, May 12 at the chamber office in Sunrise Beach. The Morgan County Library board meets 5:15 p.m. Thursday, May 12 at the library in Versailles. The Barnett Special Road District meets 6 p.m. Thursday, May 12 at city hall in Barnett. The Royal Arts Council meets 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 12 at the Dimond Annex in Versailles.
Attorney Mike McDorman, counsel for the Morgan County Commission, has filed a “motion to dismiss” in a case involving a claim by Summit Utilities they overpaid property taxes by more than $750,000. Summit sued the county after being denied relief in the matter. McDorman said the “case for the county is strong.” The motion for dismissal, filed Friday, April 29, in Circuit Court, states Summit is “barred from seeking relief” because it paid its 2015 property tax bill in full and because it failed to exhaust all available administrative remedies available (such as to appeal before the Morgan County Board of Equalization in a timely manner). A hearing on the motion to dismiss is scheduled Thursday, May 12. McDorman said if the motion to dismiss is denied, he will enter an order mandating Summit join the taxing districts as defendants in the action. Taxing districts include fire, ambulance, nursing home and school districts, which have al-
ready set their 2016 budgets according to tax money received. On Tuesday, Feb. 23, the Morgan County Commission initially denied an appeal by Summit Natural Gas, a subsidiary of Summit Utilities, to refund more than $750,000 in what Summit claims was an “aggregation of reported values” that does “not result in a correct assessment of property.” Summit legal representative Mark Leadlove, with the law firm Bryan Cave in St. Louis, argued the assessment of properties through which Summit’s pipelines run included properties that have overlapping taxing districts. He argued that when the assessment was made, there was “multiple counting of the same property more than once” and that this resulted in an “inequitable windfall for the taxing jurisdiction.” Leadlove said Summit’s 2015 Morgan County tax bill was “10 times” the amount of the 2014 bill. Summit’s estimate of
the “correct” amount they owe the county in taxes, based on their adjusted assessment, was $254,309. Leadlove said Summit actually made an overpayment of $757,053.55. The taxes were paid to Morgan County by Summit Utilities “under protest.” McDorman questioned why Summit did not take their case before the Board of Equalization, as is the standard procedure in assessment cases. He also pointed out that Summit’s withdrawal of appeal and hearing by the Board of Equalization, amounted to an acceptance of the approximately $66 million assessment of Summit properties. McDorman said, “The real problem is that a clerical error was made on Summit’s part” and inaccurate information was provided to the collector. McDorman added that the 2014 assessment was done when the natural gas line project was incomplete. The 2015 assessment reflected new values after the completion of the project.
Preschool screening for Versailles and South School is scheduled Thursday, May 12 and Friday, May 13. Children who will be four years old on or before July 31, 2016 are eligible for placement in the preschool program. Call 573-378-4272 or come to the elementary to set up an appointment to have your child screened. Parents must bring the child’s state-issued birth certificate; complete immunization records; Social Security number; proof of residency (examples are utility bill, rent receipt, lease, must have your name and physical address). This is the only preschool screening prior to school starting in August. Pick up an information sheet at the elementary school which must be filled out prior to screening. Return the information sheet and schedule an appointment prior to Thursday, May 12, for preschool screening. Parents of preschoolers will be notified with a letter regarding placement for the new school year or placement on a waiting list. All state required immunizations must be up to date prior
to screening. Call 573-378-4272 for requirement information. Enrollment for all children who will attend kindergarten this fall in Versailles or at South Elementary School is scheduled Monday, May 9 and Tuesday, May 10. Children enrolling for kindergarten must be five years old on or before July 31, 2016. Call 573-378-4272 or come to the elementary to set up an appointment for kindergarten enrollment. Parents must bring the child’s state-issued birth certificate; complete immunization records; Social Security number; proof of residency (examples are utility bill, rent receipt, lease, must have your name and physical address). This is the only kindergarten enrollment prior to school starting in August. Pick up an information sheet at the elementary school which must be filled out prior to enrollment. Return the information sheet and schedule an appointment prior to Monday, May 9, for kindergarten enrollment All state required immunizations must be up to date prior to enrollment. Call 573-378-4272 for requirement information.
Town hall meeting to address youth substance abuse risks
Art show, performance
An “Our Community Talks” town hall meeting to prevent underage drinking is scheduled 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 11 at the Hunter Civic Center in Versailles. The event sponsored by Morgan County CLEAR is to discuss ways to reduce the risks of substance use for youth in the area. The theme of the event is “Your actions matter.” Facilitator for the event will be Dr. Anita Jurkowski, prevention coordinator with Compass Prevention in Jefferson City. Presenters will include Tiffany Tuua of the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services tobacco control division; Lauren Carter, prevention coordinator with Compass Preven-
tion in Camdenton; and Ethan Newman, prevention specialist with Compass Prevention in Warsaw. The same speakers will also participate in the first annual Morgan County Prevention Day Thursday, May 12 at Versailles High School. Funding for the event is provided by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Additional support came from the federal government’s Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Prevention of Underage Drinking. For more information, call 573-789-5509, or visit stopalcoholabuse.gov/townhallmeetings. To join the online conversation, use #CommunitiesTalk.
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An Art Fair is scheduled Thursday, May 5 in the gymnasium at the Versailles High School, in Versailles. The elementary art show is 5 to 7 p.m., and middle and high school show is 6 to 8 p.m. The performing arts night begins at 7 p.m. in the high school commons.
Offices closed
The following offices will be closed Monday, May 9 in observance of Truman’s birthday: Morgan County Circuit Court, Morgan County Associate Circuit Court, Morgan County Division of Family Services and Senior Services, Division of Employment Security and Morgan County Library.
Kindergarten enrollment, pre-K screening May 12-13
Clogging and claws
Lainie Bailey, from left, Abigail Holsten, and Ashley Hitchison dance the “Monster High” Saturday, April 30 on stage at the Royal Theatre in Versailles. The three are part of the first- through fourth-grade clogging group with Hawthorn Dance and Gymnastics in Versailles. Several groups performed for a packed house of parents, friends, and relatives. The recital included hip hop, ballet, jazz and clogging. Hawthorn Dance and Gymnastics is directed by Stephanie Steinmeyer. (photo by Bryan E. Jones)
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